Former Heavyweight Crew Standouts to Compete The Gallagher Great Race

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Former Harvard heavyweight crew standouts will be participating in The Gallagher Great Race, held on the Waikato River in New Zealand Sept. 14, 2014.

The 13th-annual race, held on the largest river in New Zealand, will feature Alex Sopko '12, James O'Connor '13, Sam O'Connor '12, Mike DiSanto '12, Ben Lynton '14, Matt Edstein '12, Andrew Reed '14, Peter Scholle '14 and Patrick LaPage '12. The alumni boat will also be coached by Lapage, the Crimson's current assistant coach.

Traditionally, The Gallagher Great Race takes place between the University of Waikato senior men's eight crew, Melbourne University of Australia and an international university invited to New Zealand to compete. It is a high profile event drawing thousands of spectators to the riverbanks along the 3.8km race course.

The teams will be battling for the coveted Harry Mahon Memorial Trophy. Harvard was beaten by Waikato in their sole previous visit in 2007. Waikato has won the men's eight event eight times in the race's 13-year history.